HUNTER students have emerged pleased after their first Higher School Certificate written exam, saying English Paper 1 was in line with their expectations and their preparation paid off.
Hunter Christian School Mayfield students Reagan Pilgrim, Jade Hughes and Aaron Johnson, all 17, sat the two-part English Advanced Paper 1 on Tuesday, which comprised short answer questions on a series of unseen texts and an extended response on their prescribed text, Tim Winton's The Boy Behind The Curtain.
"The main thing I'm feeling is relief that it's done," Reagan said.
"It's been an uncertain year and there were times at home I was unsure if there would even be exams.
"It's a relief to know that even if it's stressful, it's a bit more of a normal thing, which we've been looking to for so many years now.
"It anchors the whole year, in a way."
Related: Hunter students prepare to sit first Higher School Certificate exam of 2020: English Paper 1
Related: Hunter students prepare for a HSC unlike any other, with screening before exams
Related: Hunter sporting star students count down to Higher School Certificate
Jade said she was glad to have been able to write ample answers within the time constraints, while Aaron said he was happy to have one exam out of the way.
They said their trial exams and support from their teachers helped them feel well prepared.
Reagan said he found the first section on unseen texts difficult, as he prefers to take a "deep dive" into their meanings.
"I learn better analysing things for a longer time, if I had a day I could have given 100 different answers," he said. "But I feel I rose to the challenge."
Jade said while it was impossible to study for the first section, she had some "techniques and devices I could pull out and look for".
She said she wasn't expecting to see an image - of a person in a boat using a pencil as an oar - as one of the texts.
Aaron said the section forced students to "think on the spot" and he found doing practice papers helpful.
Reagan said he didn't expect the extended response question - which asked how the author uses stories to reveal the nature of personal and shared human experiences - to have two variables, "but I was able to adapt the ideas I had to fit".
Jade said she was "relieved" to see the question and able to "destress", because her practice essays had links to the question.
Aaron said he had anticipated a similar question, "but it still required me to think on the spot to adapt my answer".
Schools have taken measures to ensure the exams are COVID-safe, which includes screening students beforehand.
The students said they were now used to actions such as sanitising their hands, so the procedures didn't feel unnatural.
Aaron said the 23 students were spaced out in a double classroom and Reagan said he was glad to see supervisors wearing masks.
The trio said they were trying their best to achieve their goals, but also wanted to minimise stress.
They will sit English Paper 2 on Wednesday.
IN THE NEWS:
- Royal Commission case studies into the Catholic and Anglican churches tabled in the senate
- Link Airways announces Newcastle to Canberra service from November 20 2020
- 11th hour approach to councillors reminding them council staff recommend approval of towers
- Disqualified motorbike rider clocked at double the speed limit in Nelson Bay
- NSW Health warns state is 'at a critical point' for testing, as five new cases found
.jpg?w=600)
